Tress: 8-5 in night games at OSU
Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man, but I can't say I'm looking forward to this season's schedule. The conference released a portion of its TV lineup this week and it looks like our green offense will play three night games on the road within a five game stretch including another trip to Happy Valley October 27th. The 17-10 loss to the Nittany Lions back in 2005 is still the most viewed BigTen game ever on ESPN netting 4.435 million households. Besides PSU, the Buckeyes will travel to Minnesota for an 8pm kick September 29th and to Purdue October 6th. The Buckeyes are just 8-5 in night games under Coach Tressel including 2-1 last year.
I understand the supposed benefits of playing at night from an exposure standpoint, but I would much rather play day games for various reasons. First, it's torture enough to wait a week between games but it's even worse when you have to sit around all day coming up with tasks to help kill time in anticipation of kickoff. Seriously, it looks like I will have the most organized sock drawer in the history of mankind with three night games in 29 days. More importantly, the risk of losing at night seems to increase as the home teams draw a more rowdy (ie. drunk) crowd creating a much more hostile environment. The crowd at Beaver in '05 clearly reinforces this fact. I'm too lazy to do the research but it just seems that upsets occur more frequently at night because of the escalated 'big game atmosphere'. Lastly, I think every blue chipper knows about OSU. I'm not sure a night game helps recruiting/visibility as much as I've heard it argued. It's a shame that the BigTen BigWigs and Disney are forced to showcase the same handful of schools because the conference has so few teams with any star power. In any event, what's your take on the night games? Do you love 'em or loathe 'em?
Comments
I absolutely love night games when they take place at the 'shoe, but i can totally see where youre coming from about the risk of losing on the road. Personally i didn't understand why the michigan game last year kicked off before 8:00. I know for a fact that the crowd could have been even louder than it already was (then that gets me going on the lack of atmosphere at the shoe, and thats a whole other story). It sucks that this year's schedule coincides with a lot of high profile road games, as well as a young team, but overall i think the benefits of playing night games at home throughout the season outweighs the risks of playing those same night games on the road.
No doubt night games at Home are great events and I fully support 'em. I also agree the atmosphere at the 'shoe can be a little blah which is just one reason I prefer to watch at home with a group of rowdy, intelligent fans instead of sitting in front of some old lady who could care less about Ohio State but wants to tell me to sit down the whole game.
I agree Mike. When it comes to sports, I am a pretty forward thinking type that appreciates tradition, but doesn't dwell on it. I would be down with playing 12 night games if it were up to me.
Remember, the traditionalists also lost their minds when they announced a new jersey striping scheme last season, but I don't remember hearing much from them after about August or so.
I think a few per year are fine at home or on the road. Of course there is the upset possibility, but if they can go in to a hostile environment and win it's great for a number of reasons. The more you play those type of games the less chance of an upset there is. I love to watch my team on the big stage under the lights too.
Like Chris, I hate waiting around for a night game on Saturday's as well. But I'm not going to complain because I'm going to take a different approach to this than I would've in previous years. The less pampered the Bucks are...the better. Let's face it, we had it too good last year. And what did it get us? It got us an ass kicking in the Championship game. Maybe if the team gets a chip on their shoulder, they won't show up in the next BCS Championship game out of shape & unprepared.
Yes, I am still biiter....but I did say the "next" BCS Championship game. So I still have a lot of faith.
I hear ya, Frosty. Bitter isn't the word, but this draft helped me sort some things out that I already believed.
1. Who was the best player in that game?
2. How many plays was that player involved in?
3. What was the outcome of that play(s)?
I'm not sure if we would've won, but losing isn't what left the bad taste in my mouth. It was the ass kicking. If we would have lost a nail biter I wouldn't have been happy, but being dominated is hard to put in the rear view.
Good thing about these games is that they are early enough in the season, with the possible exception of PSU, is that we can play 18 and roll into the evening already 3/4 in the bag. The women love that.
Definitely. Wives and girlfriends of America love fall Saturdays. Claire already knows that because OSU doesn't have a bye week this season, a fall wedding is pretty much out of the question.
She's a keeper, JP.
I have never seen a marriage last more than 2 years when the marriage took place on a Buckeye Saturday. So it's really in her best interest.
Thanks Travis. I remember a certain buddy got married on Notre Dame Saturday in 1996 (the 2nd one, in South Bend) and that didn't end up too fresh. Of course, all of the groomsmen were watching a pocket size TV hidden under the pillow holding the ring for the ceremony.
Boone originally wanted to get married on the Michigan game. Luckily his wife to be wears the pants and said no because she is a buckeyes fan. Thanks Kelly!